Bognor stand-off offender given 11-year extended sentence

A dangerous offender who threatened to ignite a gas cylinder in a property during a police stand-off has been sentenced.

Reece Hodges occupied the roof and garage of a property in Arun Road, Bognor, causing a significant emergency service response.

Police negotiators were required and neighbouring homes were evacuated during a 12-hour stand-off.

During that time, the 29-year-old threatened to ignite a propane gas cylinder.

But courageous officers from the Tactical Enforcement Unit safely arrested him before he could cause serious harm to himself, officers and the public, and brought the incident to an end.

After a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Hodges was found guilty of attempted arson, and of intentional or reckless public nuisance.

Hodges, of Arun Road, Bognor, appeared for sentence at the same court on 23 January, where he was jailed for six years.

The court also imposed an extended sentence for dangerousness, adding a further five years to his licence period.

This means Hodges will not be automatically released half way through serving his sentence, but must serve two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole.

The additional five year licence extension means if released on parole, Hodges would still be liable to be recalled to serve the remainder of his jail term for up to five years, making a total sentence of 11 years.

The court was told how the incident happened on 20 September 2024 when Hodges was on the roof of a property, making threats to set it on fire.

When officers for the Tactical Enforcement Unit were called in, they entered a garage full of obstacles, where Hodges was seen holding a lighter and gas cylinders.

They feared he had also covered the floor and himself in either petrol or an accelerant, and officers took a critical decision to safely detain Hodges before he could ignite the gas cylinders or any accelerant.

Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Emma Fields said: “This incident highlights the dangers police officers face on a daily basis, often being exposed to a high risk of serious harm in order to keep the public safe.

"It caused a large amount of distress and disruption to nearby residents in the middle of the night.

“Officers originally attended an address to arrest Hodges who was wanted on recall to prison to serve a sentence for stalking.

“But he climbed onto the roof and caused hours of disruption.

“Our priority was to ensure people’s safety, including for Hodges, our officers, and for the public who he had put at high risk of harm.

“I would like to thank residents for their patience while we dealt with the incident, and thank colleagues from the fire service and ambulance service who were also at the scene to assist us with a very complex situation.

“Thankfully no one was harmed by Hodges’ recklessness, and a dangerous offender is now serving a significant custodial sentence.”

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